Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

Latest Justin Bieber Wax Figure Unveiled in Niagara Falls, Canada

An all new Justin Bieber wax figure was unveiled on March 25, 2011 at the Movieland Wax Museum in Niagara Falls, Canada.

This carefully crafted wax figure of Bieber is the most recent version to hit the world stage and the first to appear in Canada, Justin’s home country. Movieland’s quality recreation includes Biebers trademark bowl-cut hair style rather than his latest crop and is sure to please his many fans, coming to Niagara Falls for a vacation.

Do you think Bieber’s wax figure in Niagara Falls is an accurate representation of this mega star? Just let us know in the comment section!

Movieland Wax Museum
Movieland lets you get up close and personal with your favourite stars in their most famous settings. This extraordinary attraction offers a variety of movie, television and music stars, past and present. The realism and detail of the museums life-size figures will amaze you. To see Justin Bieber’s wax figure among other great stars in person, be sure to purchase a Clifton Hill FUN PASS, which includes some of Niagara’s best attractions including the SkyWheel: Canada’s largest giant wheel!

Thinking of visiting Niagara Falls for an overnight trip?
Please click here for the the latest vacation packages available on Clifton Hill!

Harry Houdini’s 137th birthday has been marked by todays Google Doodle
March 24, 2011

The Google Doodle features a vaudeville style banner of the escape artist holding a chain around his neck.

The Hungarian-born magician and illusionist found fame with his sensational escape acts, some of which included stunts and movies set in Niagara Falls!

The Man From Beyond
Below is a harrowing scene from the 1922 movie “The Man From Beyond” which features Harry Houdini coming perilously close to the edge of Niagara Falls in a rescue attempt.

Here is some very rare footage of Harry Houdini suspended 40 feet in the air, escaping from a straight jacket, in front of Niagara Falls.

James Randi straight jacket escape over Niagara Falls
Related to this, here is a video of James Randi, the famous escape artist doing his straight jacket escape while being suspended over Niagara Falls.

The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame – Niagara Falls, Canada
Houdini was also honored with a museum in Niagara Falls by enthusiast: Sidney Radner. In 1968 The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame was opened on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. At its opening, this museum contained the majority of Houdini’s personal collection of magic paraphernalia. One of Houdini’s death wishes was that his entire collection be given to his brother Theodore (also known as the magician Hardeen) and burned upon Theodore’s death. Against his wishes, forty years after Houdini’s death, the items were taken from storage and sold. Radner and his partner purchased the items and renovated a former meat-packing plant on Clifton Hill, Ontario, Canada, to house the museum. The Hall of Fame was moved in 1972 to its final location on the top of Clifton Hill. Séances were held every year at the museum on October 31, the anniversary of Houdini’s death. A fire destroyed the museum on April 30, 1995. (Source: Wikipedia)

Below is a video tour on the late Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. Shot in 1992.

Magician Tom Interval visited the Museum in 81′ and 85′ and posted his photos here:
Photo gallery of the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame

Courtesy of Tom Interval - http://www.intervalmagic.com

Ideas for Family Day Weekend in Niagara Falls

Family Day: February 21, 2011

Family Day will be held on the third Monday in February every year.

Generally speaking, most employees will get a day off with pay enabling them to spend time with their family and loved ones. It will also give employees a day off between New Year’s Day and Easter, which is a long period of time in which people need a rest.

To get started with your rest and relaxation why not choose the Niagara Falls destination, which offers one of the best places to celebrate Family Day! There are many different fun activities for everyone to enjoy including: site seeing, amusements, attractions, museums, entertainment, ice skating on outdoor ice rinks, arcades, bowling and more.

Below are several ideas to get you started on a Family Day Weekend getaway in Niagara Falls, Canada:

Family Fun on Clifton Hill
Is your family ready for a fun and exciting day on Clifton Hill?, Not only are you minutes away from the awe-inspiring American and Horseshoe Falls, you’ll be in the heart of entertainment land.

Start by taking a ride on one of the largest Ferris wheels in Canada, the Niagara SkyWheel, where you will enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Falls. Next, fill your mind with some fascinating history and some unbelievable stories and artefacts at Ripley’s believe it or not or visit your favourite Hollywood stars at Movieland Wax Museum of Stars. After the tour why not make a wax replica of your own hand and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir?

And if that’s not enough, take in a motion-simulated show at the FX Theatre, play a game of bowling or billiards at the Strike Rock N Bowl, enjoy a round of mini golf at the Galaxy Golf – Glow in the Dark Mini Golf, or visit the incredible Great Canadian Midway to play some super cool interactive games and simulators.

As you can see, there’s plenty to enjoy on Clifton Hill. Nothing unites a family more than a family vacation. With all the time pressures of work, extra-curricular activities, homework and friends, it’s important to maintain a sense of togetherness with the ones we love.

At Clifton Hill you’ll enjoy a fun family experience like no other!

Clifton Hill FUN PASS offer
You can enjoy six of Clifton Hill’s best attractions for up to $30 in savings off regular price admissions!

The Clifton Hill “FUN PASS” includes: The Niagara SkyWheel (Canada’s Largest Observation Wheel), Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, Galaxy Golf Indoor Miniature Golf, Movieland Wax Museum of Stars, Ghostblasters Dark Ride, FX Ride Theatre, Plus Great Canadian Midway Tokens.

Purchase a FUN PASS Securely Online! For your convenience, tickets to your favourite attractions can be purchased online. Simply click here to be transferred to our secure ordering page and select the attractions and number of tickets you require. All major credit cards are accepted. It’s fast. It’s easy and it’s secure.

Click here for details, prices and ordering for the Clifton Hill Fun Pass Offer

More Niagara Falls Family Day Activities:

Great Reptiles of the World” at the Butterfly Conservatory
New Reptile Exhibit at the Butterfly Conservatory: February 19 – 21, 2011 (Family Day Weekend)

Visitors will enjoy interactive displays and daily educational presentations featuring some of the most fascinating reptiles alive today, including a 100 pound alligator, a 200 pound python, an 80 pound tortoise, a giant monitor lizard and a giant snapping turtle. Entrance to the exhibit is included with admission to the Butterfly Conservatory.

TD Rink at the Brink:
Free Skating on Family Day, February 21, 2011. 10 am-12 pm Sponsored by FACS

The TD RINK at the Brink is an open-air, outdoor ice skating facility situated a snow ball’s throw from the “brink” of the Horseshoe Falls, offering breathtaking views and a magical outdoor Niagara Falls ice skating experience.

Greg Frewin Theatre:
Family Day weekend is coming up! If you’re looking to head out with your family this weekend Greg has 5 scheduled performances of “Beyond Belief” Magic. This includes matinees at 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday

A little bit of mystery is waiting to be found in Niagara Falls. Discover it for yourself at the Greg Frewin Theater where you will be amazed by The International Grand Champion of Magic.

The Bird Kingdom:
Family Day Special! Any 4 Admissions for $30.00 – Click Here for Coupon

A world class tropical adventure, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world. More than 300 birds make their home in this multi-level rainforest setting nestled in a building which has housed some of the area’s top attractions of the past.

Niagara Falls Family Day Events, Attractions and entertainment, big and small, all play a role in the lives of Canadians. Whether visiting Niagara Falls to explore places of great natural beauty, or historical significance or meeting with friends at popular Niagara Hot Spots to enjoy amusements, attractions and entertainment, which are all healthy, recreational and cultural activities.

Family Day Weekend Package

Click here for details on the Niagara Falls Family Weekend Package

Source: The Review

New look, name with expansion at city museum
Posted By COREY LAROCQUE , REVIEW STAFF WRITER

A blend of the old and new on Ferry Street is expected to create a new place to commemorate the War of 1812, generate more traffic for the Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum and help revitalize the area around Main and Ferry streets.

New designs for an expansion of the Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum have a two-storey, glass-fronted display area added to the west side of the existing museum housed in the old Stamford township hall.

The designs were approved by city council in October, clearing the way for work to begin on the museum expansion that will be the city’s focal point for the War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations.

It will be home to the new 1812 visitors centre, for people visiting the museum to learn about the war that defined Canada.

Plans include a two-storey exhibit area, with glass windows allowing passersby to look into the museum from the sidewalk.

By bringing the museum, which is set back from the street, out to the sidewalk, staff from Toronto-based Moriyama and Teshima Architects hope to make it part of the activity on the street. (more…)

Originally Printed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Niagara Falls: Canadian side overflows with kitsch kitsch
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Stories by Dennis Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS, Canada — Niagara Falls spills 750,000 gallons of water per second down a 167-foot drop in a roar that began when glaciers melted 10,000 years ago.

Tourists come by the millions, stare into the white mist, and marvel at one of the wonders of the world. Then they have wonders of their own: What to do next?

As Nick Ramunno, who oversees a hall full of wax rock stars there for the staring at, puts it: “You need something else besides the Falls. You can only look at the Falls so long.”

That’s when it’s time to climb Clifton Hill.

There is no compromising with Clifton Hill. Either you recoil in horror at the noise, lights, crowds, smells, outsize waffle cones and howling fright houses or you give yourself over to the Great Spirit of Kitsch that has pervaded since the days hotel owners shanghaied each other’s guests at the train station and shook them down for trips to the bottom of the Falls. (Read more…)

Originally printed by EnvironmentalGraffiti.com

The Daredevils of Niagara Falls

Daredevils, lunatics, call them what you will; there’s one thing that unites those folks who attempted the tightrope-walking or barrel-riding stunts that got them dicing with the Grim Reaper: an irrepressible urge to stand out from the crowd. Niagara Falls was their stage, and they intended to fill the show with rapturous applause, even if it meant bringing the curtain down for the final time. These were no pseudo-mystical David Blaine types either; they were regular guys and gals with old school style, their feats now frozen in hues of black and white. Let’s turn our gaze on five of the most legendary daredevils who braved the dangers of these famous American falls.

Click here to continue reading and to see some great historical daredevil photos

Originally printed by the Review, Sun, July 26, 2009

Battle of Lundy’s Lane marks 195 years
Preserving our history
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO Review Staff Writer

It’s been 195 years since the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, but that important time in our history continues to be kept alive by those who show up every year to pay their respects at Drummond Hill Cemetery.

This was the place where the American invasion was finally brought to a halt after two years of fighting on July 25, 1814. Click here to read more and to watch a video

Originally printed by the Review – May 23, 2009

Oh no, Yoko: John Lennon’s widow sends her regrets
By COREY LAROCQUE , REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Yoko Ono won’t visit Niagara Falls to mark the 40th anniversary of her honeymoon to Niagara Falls with John Lennon, but the widow of the late Beatle is sending rarely seen footage of their visit instead.

“We’ll have exclusive stuff,” said Bill Colclough, a public programmer at the Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum, who is organizing a musical celebration in honour of what he considers one of the most famous couples to honeymoon here.

“But she is sending 10 minutes of footage. It’s a DVD. It’s 10 minutes of whatever they were doing when they were here,” Colclough said. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Museum offers cemetery tours
Drummond Hill burial ground ‘most haunted’ in Canada
Posted By JOHN ROBBINS / Review Staff Writer

The City of Niagara Falls Museums is offering residents and visitors a chance to step back in time.

For the seventh year, the museum has arranged walking tours of the historic Drummond Hill Cemetery on weekends during the month of October.

The nighttime tours of what organizers claim is the “most haunted cemetery in Canada” include costumed performers acting out the lives of some famous, and some less well-known, characters from this city’s past. (more…)

Printed by the Review

IN BRIEF: Museums offering tours of cemetery

The City of Niagara Falls Museums is offering residents and visitors a chance to step back in time.

For the seventh year, the museum has arranged walking tours of the historic Drummond Hill Cemetery on weekends during the month of October.

The nighttime tours of what organizers claim is the “most haunted cemetery in Canada” include costumed performers acting out the lives of some famous, and some less well-known, characters from this city’s past.

Tours take place Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1 at 7 p. m. and 8 p. m. – rain or shine.

Participants are asked to gather first at the Battle Ground Hotel Museum, located at 6151 Lundy’s Lane.

Tickets, which cost $8, are available by reservation only by calling 905-358- 5082 or in person at the Lundy’s Lane Museum, located at 5810 Ferry St. (more…)